Jimenez's Late Goal Sinks Sunderland at Craven Cottage

Fulham secured a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at Craven Cottage on Saturday, with Raul Jimenez's late goal proving the difference. The match, a Premier League encounter, saw Fulham dominate in possession and create numerous chances, ultimately breaking the deadlock in the 84th minute.

The home side controlled the game for extended periods, boasting 58% of the possession and registering a total of 24 shots, with 5 hitting the target. Despite their dominance, Fulham struggled to convert their opportunities until Jimenez's decisive intervention. Their attacking efforts translated to an expected goals (xG) value of 2.62, highlighting the numerous missed chances throughout the match.

Sunderland, on the other hand, struggled to make an impact offensively. They managed only 4 shots, with just 2 testing Fulham's goalkeeper. Their limited attacking threat was reflected in their low expected goals (xG) of 0.29.

Fulham's persistence paid off late in the game when substitute Samuel Chukwueze delivered an inviting cross that Jimenez expertly turned home. The goal, Jimenez's second league goal of the season and first at home, sparked jubilant celebrations at Craven Cottage.

Harry Wilson was a constant threat for Fulham, with several near misses throughout the match. Wilson, fresh off a hat-trick for Wales, continued his rich vein of form but was unable to find the net himself. Kevin also came close to scoring for Fulham in the first half.

The victory was crucial for Fulham, easing the pressure on manager Marco Silva after a poor run of form. Prior to this match, Fulham had only one win in their previous six league games. This win sees the Cottagers move up to 14th place in the league standings, creating a three-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone. Fulham have now won four of their last five Premier League home games.

Sunderland's defeat sees their four-match unbeaten run come to an end, and they drop to sixth in the table. Despite a promising start to the season following promotion, Sunderland were unable to cope with Fulham's attacking pressure. Manager Regis Le Bris will be looking for a response from his team in their upcoming match against Bournemouth.

The match was not without its physical moments, with several fouls committed by both sides. Nordi Mukiele, Trai Hume and Enzo Le Fée were among the Sunderland players to commit fouls, while Sander Berge was booked for Fulham.

Speaking after the game, Jimenez expressed his delight at scoring the winning goal and helping his team secure an important victory. He emphasized the importance of continuing to work hard and build on this result.